Lilac

It's been a rough year. I've had more problems and situations than you can imagine. We are all healthy but everything else has turned upside down for me.

I am a convert. I read ALL the negative stuff that is out there. I'm not joining a church without reading everything. i still joined. Joseph Smith was an imperfect man who was chosen to do something Holy. I agree, some of the things you read are not so good. But that does not negate the good things, the Gospel and the information that Smith brought forth. Joseph Smith was a human. He was probably as messed up as all of us are. I have no illusions that he was some saintly man who walked on water. I believe he was a very rough stone rolling ( I think he called himself that) and maybe that is why God chose him. He needed someone rough and a bit wild to do His plan. I'm sure Smith sinned. He made mistakes and stumbled, like we all do. And again, his humanity doesn't negate the holy message he brought to us. In fact, I think that is what drew me to the church. I like that Joseph Smith was not perfect. Far from it. He was just a man. I Whatever Smith did or didn't do, the message of the Gospel that he brought forth is True. Smith was simply a vessel. I focus on the Gospel and info. And, let's not forget, Smith lived fairly recently. There was much dislike for him and I can certainly understand why. Some guy claims he has a new Bible??? We would all be suspicious ourselves. Who knows if what was written was from haters or accurate journalism? All of the old Biblical prophets did not have modern journalist following them around. Only the good stuff has been preserved! For all we know, those prophets could've been pretty saucy too and no one published newspapers about it. It's because Smith is so recent that we have so much info on him. Regarding the Book of Abraham...I'm not sure what to think, quite honestly. But again, the Book of Mormon is true and so is D&C.

Welcome. My husband and I are converts. Him: Catholic to Baptist to LDS Me: Lutheran to Baptist to LDS. I like to read about other people's faith but I CAN"T STAND too much arguing and then it gets so ugly. I feel we agree on more than we disagree on, so let's focus on that!

Update: Sorry it took so long to give an update. I had some trouble signing into the forums. We landed up going to the meeting. The e-mails kept coming and then someone signed us up so we decided that we should just attend and be done since this was clearly a big deal. No problems. I told the bishop pretty much what I posted here. Foreclosure, bankruptcy and wage garnishment. He said while spiritually, we must tithe, he can certainly understand as a human what happened. Just begin tithing again and move forward. We were done in about three minutes. Thanks for the help.

Thank you again for the help.

I can figure it out but no, not really. My olther bishop never sent e-mails and I just paid my tithe. I didn't know I had to have a meeting about it. I've been LDS for about 6 years now and never heard about it or if I did, I wasn't paying attention. We have an income...we both work. A foreclosure is very expensive unless you just let the sheriff auction the house and walk away completely. We've been paying our mortgage for 16 years, never missed a payment and then things started going wrong. Long story...but the legal bills are a lot. I actually just paid my last legal bill today. (i hope). It appears my bankruptcy has finally been approved today also (another expensive situation). I just opened the mail actually! This sounds odd but I can't handle the temple recommend being taken away. We have been through so much in the past few years...I can't have another person stamp "loser" on me just one more time. I know we're not losers but it certainly feels that way. I probably won't go to the settlement meeting. My spouse is NEVER going to sit and discuss all of this...it's too painful. I will try to catch up from here and just move forward. Sitting and rehashing all this is rough. Thank you for your kind notes.

I'm a convert from another Christian faith that also tithes so there is no issue with tithing. We simply fell behind this year. Mostly due to a forclosure and bankruptcy. Trying to get the bills paid and food etc. has been a huge challenge. We have a large family. I could add more info of our siuation but I don't want to disclose all this on a forum. But trust me when I say, we have had a very rough year. We have cut everything. Between us we work three jobs. We tithed for a few months in 2014 and got slammed over and over with legal bills etc. We paid the legal bills which are all ASAP bills when you are sitting in a lawyer's office who is showing up to court for you next week kinda bills. Then we had salaries garnished. We figured we could catch up eventually. It's December 22 and there is no way we can catch up by the end of the year. We just paid our electric bill before it got shut off. I got an email for tithing settlements. I never got an email for that any other years; we have a new bishop. What happens now? Can I make up the tithe in 2015? I have a few pay checks due to me. Do I have to go to this meeting? What happens in there? Will he take away my temple recommend? I know someone will ask this so I will answer it. Yes, bishop knows of financial problems. Not sure of how much detail but house mess is open knowledge. No, we haven't gotten any help because my spouse is humiliated by this mess. I am the college degree working family next door to you in the normal suburban home with a regular life, kids and a beat up old van. And in consistant financial crisis. I tred very lightly on this topic with my spouse because it is HIGHLY sensitive topic. Thanks for the help.

I am in a very un-Mormon state so crosses are common due to converts (like me). The only issue I have ever had is the missionaries assume I'm a visitor. I went to the Hill Cumorah with my cross and we were attracting missionaries like crazy. I couldn't figure it out. Five kids. Clean cut family...we look LDS. My husband noticed the cross and said "It's the cross!!! tuck that thing away, I can't take another missionary". :D I put it under my t shirt and not one missionary came up to us. (and yes, I love the missionaries!!!)

He knows how you feel and he shared his joy anyway. That tells me he feels unconditionally loved. I think you did a good job as a mother! I would be as supportive as I possibly could. You will NEVER regret loving your son. You will regret a damaged and broken relationship with your child. It will haunt you forever. This gay issue is complex. We don't have the answers. Sorting out your son's issues is Heavenly Father's job. Loving him is your job.

I'm a convert and I ALWAYS have to ask the woman sitting next to me for help. I feel kind of stupid but I'm a slow dresser, I guess and I think some of my ceremonial clothing is too large which is a problem... My husband had to ask for help also. So asking for help might not be as odd as he thinks it is. But I certainly understand he wants to do it himself.

I think a nice note is a good idea. On days when things aren't going well, they can pull out your note and feel good about their mission work.

I haven't popped in in a long time I think. Just wanted to share, I received my Endowments last week with my husband. My family will be sealed soon (too much in one day) with the temple being far and little kids. Ok...that is all. Edit: I changed my profile to LDS but if anyone is interested, I was a devout Baptist for much of my life. Conservative Lutheran as a child. (i always love to know what people were before their conversion)

I totally agree! I know that all the forces are working against us...to keep us from getting to the temple. I promise you we will be getting sealed asap. I'm not going to procrastinate and loose our opportunity for blessings! My kids are looking forward to it also. The commute to the temple is not a big deal to me...my husband commutes 2 hours each way to work so driving is not the issue. When I work, I commute also. It's the whole entire day plus the commute and the kids etc, that is overwhelming. This past year has really knocked me out...I need some peace and sweetness not chaos. I certainly know what you mean...and I take your advice. Get there and get it done!

Yes, the baptism dress is for my daughter. It's a modest gown...short sleeves but modest short sleeves...we can probably problem solve with a white sweater. Fo me, I was married in a modest wedding gown (I was a fundamentalist baptist) and believe me, NOTHING is showing in that gown. I'm going to have it altered and wear that! Total fun! Glad to know we are able to use a few things. I will call the temple for more details. :)

It's the special needs child that concerns me. Getting five kids and two parents in the car, on time, neatly dressed and showered, for a long 2 hour car ride and figuring in traffic and then them waiting 2 to 3 hours??? That is a nightmare. By the time we get sealed, they will be so over the whole thing that the moment will be ruined. I will get "when are we going to eat" and "that took at long time" instead of enjoying the special time. Plus the crabby special needs toddler. oh yeah...very relaxing... I am so thrilled I can do this in two visits you have no idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I told my husband and he was beyond relieved also.